Dearest readers, It's July already! And, as ever, the ballet world is swirling with exciting productions across the globe. From the iconic grandeur of Covent Garden to the cutting edge of Tokyo's independent stages, I've been flitting between continents to bring you the hottest, most breathtaking, most exquisitely beautiful dance performances that July has to offer. Buckle up, my dears, it's going to be a whirl of tutus, tiaras and toe shoes!
London: A Dance in the Clouds
I kicked off my whirlwind tour with a return to the hallowed halls of the Royal Opera House. Now, you know how I adore a good classical ballet, and this production of Swan Lake truly had me swept away on a tide of feathers, romance and drama. The legendary Svetlana Zakharova returned as the ethereal Odette, and dear, this woman just gets better with age! Her performance was captivatingly graceful and her partnering with Vadim Muntagirov, a wonderfully handsome and technically flawless Prince, was truly magical. Yes, there were moments when I missed the vibrant "fire and ice" dynamic of the original choreography by Marius Petipa, but the overall feeling of tenderness and sorrow in this reinterpretation brought the ballet's heart right into my own. Oh, and did I mention the gorgeous new costumes? The black swans shimmered like onyx with an incredibly delicate feather design. Oh, my darlings, you know I love a bit of extra sparkle, and the creative team behind this production definitely delivered in spades!
Paris: A Touch of Chic
Next stop, Paris! Of course! The City of Lights, the ultimate city of beauty. It simply couldn't disappoint. I took in the dazzling new production of "Giselle" at the Palais Garnier. Oh, this performance had all the elements of Parisian elegance, you see? The costumes! Exquisite, like whispers of lace. The set designs! Truly whimsical with stunning greenery that gave a delightful sense of both reality and illusion. However, the performance left me a little uninspired. The dancers, oh, darling, their talent is not in question, but they just lacked that emotional intensity that makes a classic work truly captivating. I felt a little bit like a beautifully presented dish with all the ingredients just not quite blended right, you see? Perhaps, it was the reinterpretation, an attempt to present a "new age Giselle". It is true that tradition must be honored but that does not mean we must forever be stuck in the past, dear, doesn't it?
New York City: The New Ballet Frontier
And then to New York, the city that never sleeps! Here I took in the incredible performances of the New York City Ballet. Now, these dancers are seriously talented, dears. There's a passion and energy that truly captures your heart and holds you thrilled. What surprised me, and yes, I am usually so confident in what to expect from each ballet, is the performance "Stars and Stripes" by George Balanchine. Imagine this! A piece of neo-classical, based on an original piece by the famous Arthur Saint-Léon that took the inspiration from John Philip Sousa's march! It was surprisingly wonderful. I especially loved the use of the ensemble and the intricate, yet playful, footwork. The choreography gave a modern feel, as though the dancers were painting their own journey through music and movement, like brush strokes on a canvas! A vibrant burst of colour and pure delight.
Tokyo: Dance on the Edge
After New York, a little bit of a change. To Japan and a completely different perspective of the art form of dance. The beauty of this art in Tokyo is it embraces a multitude of styles from classical ballet to contemporary. I was taken by the performance of the Tokyo Ballet company and a work of theirs that was entirely inspired by Kabuki theatre. "Sakura's Dance" fused elements of Kabuki theatre into traditional balletic choreography, resulting in a powerful piece that captured my imagination with its bold costumes and striking lighting, along with the powerful symbolism embedded within the story it was telling. As a traditionalist, dear readers, you know my soul finds joy in the classic traditions. Yet, it is refreshing to experience such bold and brave creative work that celebrates the art of dance while taking the courage to explore the cutting edge and reinventing its style. Such a fresh and refreshing new direction, I applaud this boldness!
Moscow: Back to the Roots
You can take the girl out of the ballet studio but you can't take the ballet out of the girl. Back in Moscow I just couldn't miss a trip to the Bolshoi. My love of the classics made me go there for an encore performance of "Sleeping Beauty." It felt like coming home. This rendition of this ballet remains one of my favourites! A production brimming with beautiful costumes, sumptuous sets and brilliantly crafted characters like a dream! But there was something that struck a cord that day. As I looked at the faces of the dancers in this iconic Russian company, there was something truly special in the way they held their emotions. The emotion and the energy! Every movement carried the story forward. Every jump felt charged with power, and every glide was effortless. This ballet is, simply put, a timeless classic!
Across the Globe: What a Wonderful World
My travels this month have been a tour of diverse styles, different interpretations, and, of course, the enduring love of the ballet art. What is it that brings me to these dance companies around the world? I suppose it's because ballet has a truly global language and speaks directly to our emotions. Whether you're moved by the grace of the swans in Swan Lake, the passion of the lovers in Romeo and Juliet, or the sheer athleticism of Don Quixote, the artistry, the commitment and the skill displayed by the world's dancers are always a marvel. They invite us into a world of imagination, beauty and powerful stories and I believe it's our duty as art lovers, dance enthusiasts and cultural explorers to see what they offer.
Here are some further dates and ballet events that I recommend checking out:
- Royal Ballet: “The Sleeping Beauty” at the Royal Opera House in London (10-31 July 2019): With their magnificent performances, lavish production and captivating score, the Royal Ballet delivers a perfect interpretation of the classic.
- The Australian Ballet at the Melbourne Arts Centre in Melbourne ( 10 – 31 July 2019 ): A new interpretation of Don Quixote is always exciting!
- English National Ballet “ Giselle ” (4-31 July 2019 ) at the London Coliseum in London.
Well my dears, time for this seasoned ballerina to pack my dance bag! Do not hesitate, get yourself to one of these fabulous ballets and be prepared to be swept away!
Until next time, Love and Grace!